Sarnia Sting 2022-23 Season Thread

[JAMER]

He's been good in 5 of 7 starts. The two the entire team didn't show up. Doesn't make it better that he also struggled but been a bit of an overreaction to it imo.

Was the ohl goalie of the week not even a month ago haha. He said after one of the games it's an adjustment going from being under siege to not seeing many shots.

I do think he needs a stable back up though. Can't be playing him every game or else he'll burn out & risk injury (Brochu last yr).. If it's Surzycia great, if it's not they should go get one soon.

I think a good trade would be

Namestnikov and Grove to the Soo

And Savard and Ivonov and maybe a pick or two
Would give us more grit in our top 9 and a more experienced backup

 

[HkyBeegs3]

If you don’t have a goalie, you don’t have a chance. You have to build a team from the net out. 70 was by far the best available and worth a shot. Don’t want to judge him by a half-dozen games, but I believe he will get his act together soon.
As an old goalie, it’s an entirely different world when you get 40 shots versus when you get 20. It’s actually tougher when you get 20, particularly when your own team might only get you 1 or 2 goals. Hard to keep a rhythm when you’re idle for 10 minutes.
This team should make the playoffs (if they don’t then it’s a catastrophe). Ben has a couple months to figure out how to stay on top of his game with far fewer shots. No need to hit the panic button - it’s a work in progress.

All I'm saying is look at the current top 10-15 goalies in the league none of them were drafted remotely close to where the sting drafted Gaudreau, most are drafted after the 4th round or in the import draft. Build from the net out I get it, but cmon it's not like he was taughted as the next nhl superstar , just a poor waste on a top 10 pick imo when we could've drafted a goalie in the later rounds like 95% of teams do lol

Looks like we had a pretty good goalie in Thornton that we drafted in the u-18 draft..............

 

[Ferda11]

All I'm saying is look at the current top 10-15 goalies in the league none of them were drafted remotely close to where the sting drafted Gaudreau, most are drafted after the 4th round or in the import draft. Build from the net out I get it, but cmon it's not like he was taughted as the next nhl superstar , just a poor waste on a top 10 pick imo when we could've drafted a goalie in the later rounds like 95% of teams do lol

Looks like we had a pretty good goalie in Thornton that we drafted in the u-18 draft..............

I get what you’re saying completely. I also understand why Sarnia took a shot with using that 7th overall pick for Ben. Let’s face it, one of Sarnia’s biggest flaws when it comes to developing players is producing quality goaltending. Fazio may be the only goaltender this franchise can have a bit of pride in, where they were solely responsible for the growth and development of the player. There was a lot of hype about Gaudreau pre draft and I think Sarnia needed to try something different. I get it.

The arguments about not facing as many shots are very valid. I think almost any goaltender will tell you that. I do think Gaudreau is struggling quite a bit right now though. I will admit even when he was picked as goaltender of the week, I didn’t think his performance was anything worthy of that title. He has just seemed uncomfortable in net to me. But I also agree it’s early and we should definitely chill out a bit and give Ben 10-15 games to really get going. He is going to want to impress the Hockey Canada brass leading up to selection for world juniors.

 

[robp1219]

He's been good in 5 of 7 starts. The two the entire team didn't show up. Doesn't make it better that he also struggled but been a bit of an overreaction to it imo.

Was the ohl goalie of the week not even a month ago haha. He said after one of the games it's an adjustment going from being under siege to not seeing many shots.

I do think he needs a stable back up though. Can't be playing him every game or else he'll burn out & risk injury (Brochu last yr).. If it's Surzycia great, if it's not they should go get one soon.

Also against the Soo he had 1 or 2 goals against after like 12 shots then he left the game midway … he was playing fine that game but that hurts his stats big time.

 

[StingUpdates]

Welp this isn't an ideal start. Rebounded well after opening goal but then 3rd pair covers nobody for a tap-in.

Missing Dillingham's steadiness last few games.

Team so desperately needs someone who can beat a goalie clean. We have to work so hard to score our goals.

 

[robp1219]

I’d be down for that

I think a good trade would be

Namestnikov and Grove to the Soo

And Savard and Ivonov and maybe a pick or two
Would give us more grit in our top 9 and a more experienced back

I think a good trade would be

Namestnikov and Grove to the Soo

And Savard and Ivonov and maybe a pick or two
Would give us more grit in our top 9 and a more experienced backup

I could get behind that trade. Definitely need a back up. To give gaudreau a break.

Welp this isn't an ideal start. Rebounded well after opening goal but then 3rd pair covers nobody for a tap-in.

Missing Dillingham's steadiness last few games.

Team so desperately needs someone who can beat a goalie clean. We have to work so hard to score our goals.

Man Mcdonell works hard as hell, but he lacks skill. Missed an easy open net. Definitely need a shooter. Gaudreau had zero chance on the second goal, just lazy team defence on that shift.

 

[StingUpdates]

I’d be down for that


I could get behind that trade. Definitely need a back up. To give gaudreau a break.


Man Mcdonell works hard as hell, but he lacks skill. Missed an easy open net. Definitely need a shooter. Gaudreau had zero chance on the second goal, just lazy team defence on that shift.

He didn't miss. He tried to pass the f*ckin puck. 2nd time this year he's had an absolute slam dunk goal & tried to be cute & pass it. Unacceptable.

Completely dominated puck possession the final 12 minutes but didn't score. Been a very frustrating last 7 periods of hockey

 

[Ferda11]

lol only Sarnia would dominate such a long stretch of hockey and still be down 2-0. MacDonnell does not want to score a goal for some reason. He should have 2 in this game alone. Gaudreau with a handful of big time saves but just not getting help on the rebounds. Who knows where this game is going...

 

[StingUpdates]

I like a lot of things about this Sting team. But it's glaring the lack of high-end talent. Not one guy on the roster can beat the goalie clean from a distance. They've had easily more scoring chances than Flint. If you look at the Flint board before tonight most of them had very little confidence in Cranley as their #1. Sarnia's making him look like prime Patrick Roy.

Every shot is at the logo or along the ice. I'm not sure one time tonight he's had to flash the glove or make a blocker save. You saw the same thing vs MISS Sunday. Sarnia dominated for 90% of that game but couldn't score.

It's incredibly frustrating because they are honestly playing well (mostly). They've controlled more of the play, created a ton of good scoring chances but can not convert if their life depended on it. If they wanna do something this year they'll need to add multiple talented Fs.

 

[robp1219]

I like a lot of things about this Sting team. But it's glaring the lack of high-end talent. Not one guy on the roster can beat the goalie clean from a distance. They've had easily more scoring chances than Flint. If you look at the Flint board before tonight most of them had very little confidence in Cranley as their #1. Sarnia's making him look like prime Patrick Roy.

Every shot is at the logo or along the ice. I'm not sure one time tonight he's had to flash the glove or make a blocker save. You saw the same thing vs MISS Sunday. Sarnia dominated for 90% of that game but couldn't score.

It's incredibly frustrating because they are honestly playing well (mostly). They've controlled more of the play, created a ton of good scoring chances but can not convert if their life depended on it. If they wanna do something this year they'll need to add multiple talented Fs.

Imagine if they had a guy who could wheel and go bar down and pick corners … ooo wait they did and got rid of him lol.

 

[StingUpdates]

Imagine if they had a guy who could wheel and go bar down and pick corners … ooo wait they did and got rid of him lol.

Just tweeted that haha. I understand why they did it. You can't have so many small Fs. but its become glaringly obvious Namestnikov should've been the one dealt, not Dann. Because boy do they miss his release, shot.

 

[Ferda11]

Hahaha you all beat me to the Dann comment. Remember when he pretty much put everything in the net that Voit fed him?

 

[StingUpdates]

Hahaha you all beat me to the Dann comment. Remember when he pretty much put everything in the net that Voit fed him?

Like I said, I completely understand why but they should've let it play out first. Dann doesn't suddenly suck. If they still felt the same way come the deadline they'd get a similar return as they did on August.

How do they not call hooking on Othmann then call Vilmanis for the hit. Probably doesn't matter but Comical.

 

[Ferda11]

And just like that, 3 losses in a row and back to .500 hockey. Classic Sarnia Sting. Dominating stretches of hockey mean jack shit when you can’t score. Truly is comical.

 

[StingUpdates]

Another pretty solid effort but you gotta score to win & this team can not do that right now. Put Burke back on the top line w/Voit, LL. Put Wainwright on L2 with Vilmanis. Do what you will with the rest. Right back at it vs Flint.

This team is fine, but it's obvious what they lack. See how long Seca waits to address it.

 

[Ferda11]

Also, big props to the Flint goaltender. He was sensational all game long.

Lmao I just jinxed his shutout bid while tying this

 

[StingUpdates]

Also, big props to the Flint goaltender. He was sensational all game long.

Lmao I just jinxed his shutout bid while tying this

Alright well would u praise him BEFORE the game Friday?? Lmao.

Bright side, this was far&away Martone's best game. Nice assist on goal. He's so close to breaking thru. Wouldn't hate putting him in the T6 honestly. Onward we go. Team is still playing solid hockey just need to put the damn puck in the net. Should be a chippy/intense game Friday.

 

[Ferda11]

Alright well would u praise him BEFORE the game Friday?? Lmao.

Bright side, this was far&away Martone's best game. Nice assist on goal. He's so close to breaking thru. Wouldn't hate putting him in the T6 honestly. Not like Sikic/Max/MacDonell have done anything with it. He's got a far better shot than them

I was just going to suggest the same. There’s a lot more energy and effort from guys like Martone and Wainwright that would mix well with some higher end skill in the top 6. Everyone benefits offensively. Can’t have 2 or 3 “floaters” on the same line. It never works.

Burke - Lantz - Voit
Martone - Wainwright- Vilmanis

Load the top line because your desperate for goals. Bring up the young high energy guys who have great potential to contribute offensively and can do a lot of the dirty work to set up Vilmanis to get his shot to use. Gotta make a bigger switch. Things just aren’t clicking.

 

[Dougie Daryl Clark]

I was just going to suggest the same. There’s a lot more energy and effort from guys like Martone and Wainwright that would mix well with some higher end skill in the top 6. Everyone benefits offensively. Can’t have 2 or 3 “floaters” on the same line. It never works.

Burke - Lantz - Voit
Martone - Wainwright- Vilmanis

Load the top line because your desperate for goals. Bring up the young high energy guys who have great potential to contribute offensively and can do a lot of the dirty work to set up Vilmanis to get his shot to use. Gotta make a bigger switch. Things just aren’t clicking.

Not sure about the Wainwright love. He is in the perfect spot for him, 3rd or 4th line, not a ton of more upside IMO. The real back holes are Sikic, Filak and Max. What are they exactly, after all last season and so far this year, I still have no idea. They are not scorers, set up guys or bangers.
On a good note, the team pretty much outplayed 2 teams this week that were preseason favourites. It's coming, just slowly.

I was just going to suggest the same. There’s a lot more energy and effort from guys like Martone and Wainwright that would mix well with some higher end skill in the top 6. Everyone benefits offensively. Can’t have 2 or 3 “floaters” on the same line. It never works.

Burke - Lantz - Voit
Martone - Wainwright- Vilmanis

Load the top line because your desperate for goals. Bring up the young high energy guys who have great potential to contribute offensively and can do a lot of the dirty work to set up Vilmanis to get his shot to use. Gotta make a bigger switch. Things just aren’t clicking.

 

[StingUpdates]

Not sure about the Wainwright love. He is in the perfect spot for him, 3rd or 4th line, not a ton of more upside IMO. The real back holes are Sikic, Filak and Max. What are they exactly, after all last season and so far this year, I still have no idea. They are not scorers, set up guys or bangers.
On a good note, the team pretty much outplayed 2 teams this week that were preseason favourites. It's coming, just slowly.

I just like Wainwright's speed. He's one of if not the fastest skater on the team. Maybe that would help keep the D honest & give Voit or Vilmanis a little more space.

Sikic is best served on line 3. He works hard, his skating is solid for a bigger guy, he's good along the boards but he has an average shot & is an average passer. Be better on a checking line than a scoring line. Also is much better on the wing than C.

Filak has been a bit disappointing tbh. I wasn't expecting big numbers, but I find myself not noticing him much at all so far. Last year once he got going he really got going let's hope for the same this yr.

Namestnikov I was really being patient with but I'm just about done with him. He tries to win the game every shift. Low% passes, stupid dekes, easily frustrated. As some mentioned a trade would be best for the player & team.

I completely agree though. They are playing fine. Outplayed OS, MISS, FLT in the last week just didn't get the results. Said before their opening 15-20 games were gonna be tough. They almost only play pre season favorites. Make it out still in the race & we are set up nicely the back half of the year.

 

[JAMER]

I just like Wainwright's speed. He's one of if not the fastest skater on the team. Maybe that would help keep the D honest & give Voit or Vilmanis a little more space.

Sikic is best served on line 3. He works hard, his skating is solid for a bigger guy, he's good along the boards but he has an average shot & is an average passer. Be better on a checking line than a scoring line. Also is much better on the wing than C.

Filak has been a bit disappointing tbh. I wasn't expecting big numbers, but I find myself not noticing him much at all so far. Last year once he got going he really got going let's hope for the same this yr.

Namestnikov I was really being patient with but I'm just about done with him. He tries to win the game every shift. Low% passes, stupid dekes, easily frustrated. As some mentioned a trade would be best for the player & team.

I completely agree though. They are playing fine. Outplayed OS, MISS, FLT in the last week just didn't get the results. Said before their opening 15-20 games were gonna be tough. They almost only play pre season favorites. Make it out still in the race & we are set up nicely the back half of the year.

Honestly wouldn't mind a Harrison or Acurri trade sooner then later

 

[Generalsupdates]

Honestly wouldn't mind a Harrison or Acurri trade sooner then later

Trades like that don’t happen until late December or early January

 

[davewheeler]

Seems like Sarnia is facing goaltending they thought they were gonna get from Gaudreau. Imagine they took a skill guy at 7 overall rather than a goalie how much better this team would be. Mix that in with Max being a bust and you get a sub .500 team that can't score. At this point I wouldn't even care if the team re-located... I can't imagine how bad this team is going to be next year....

 

[Ferda11]

Wainwright has deserved every single inch of ice he gets and he sure as hell deserves more of it. He has more grit and passion than 90% of the players on this team. What he did in the minors was no mistake. He just has not been given a solid chance in a top 6 role with the right players on his line. I'm sorry, but if you put anyone on a line with Max and Marko right now, they are failing miserably as well. You need the right mix of players on the same line to help compliment each others game. For some odd reason, this coaching staff has a hell of a time making these decisions or will only make minor adjustments that lead to the same shit result.

This team will be good as they get going, but they will never be contenders with their current roster. Your move Mr. Seca.

 

[cupcrazyman2]

Sarnia Sting

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